Summary The privately owned PiperCub J3C-65 (registration C-FIUH, serial number 15482) departed a privately owned, grass covered runway under visual meteorological conditions near Essex, Ontario. This was the first flight following the annual maintenance inspection of the aircraft. Shortly after departure, the aircraft made a planned low pass parallel to the runway in an easterly direction. The aircraft then climbed to approximately 1500feet above ground level in a northerly direction. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft was observed in a gradual descent, flying in a southeasterly direction. At approximately 1420eastern daylight time, the aircraft struck the ground in a nearby field. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, did not survive. Ce rapport est galement disponible en franais. Other Factual Information The aircraft was manufactured in 1946 and had accumulated approximately 4153 total hours since manufacture. Records indicate that the aircraft was certified, equipped, and maintained in accordance with existing regulations and approved procedures. There was nothing found to indicate that there was any airframe, engine, or system malfunction before or during the flight. The nearest aviation routine weather observation (METAR) station is located in Windsor, Ontario, eight nautical miles northwest. The 1400 eastern daylight time hourly weather observation indicated that, at the time of the occurrence, there were a few clouds at 5000feet above ground level, the wind was from the east at 6knots and the temperature was 25C. Weather conditions were ideal for visual flight rules (VFR) flight and were not considered a factor in the occurrence. The 80year-old pilot had obtained his pilot licence in February1955 and since that time had accumulated approximately 10000hours of flight time including 685hours in the occurrence aircraft. He also held a current Group1 instrument rating. His last aviation medical examination was completed in June2006, his last resting electrocardiograph (ECG) test was completed in October2003, and his Category3 medical certificate was valid until 01July2008. The pilot, who was also a retired physician, was active in many business ventures which involved piloting aircraft on a regular basis. He had accumulated approximately 105hours of flying time during the previous year. The pilot had a history of chronic arterial fibrillation and therefore underwent periodic cardiovascular assessments. These assessments included exercise electrocardiography tests, the latest of which was conducted in April2006. The results of these assessments did not reveal any significant reduction in his heart functions. The pilot met Transport Canada criteria for a Category3 medical certification. The post-mortem examination revealed that the pilot had underlying asymptomatic atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. This put him at risk for a sudden coronary event. The development of cardiovascular disease in licensed aviation personnel is a major concern among aviation medical practitioners. To address this concern, Transport Canada has developed a set of cardiovascular guidelines intended to assist in the medical assessment of cardiovascular fitness of licensed aviation personnel. These guidelines are published in Transport Canada's Handbook for Civil Aviation Medical Examiners (TP13312E). Major risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease are age, family history, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, and cigarette smoking. The aim of monitoring these risk factors and applying the cardiovascular guidelines is to ensure that the risk of asymptomatic coronary artery disease causing sudden incapacitation of a pilot remains extremely low. The Transport Canada requirement for a Category3 medical certificate is that the candidates undergo a routine ECG at the first examination after age40, and then subsequently within the four years preceding examination. However, in up to 50percent of people with advanced coronary artery disease, a routine ECG may not show indications of coronary artery disease. An exercise stress test increases the likelihood the disease will be detected. However, it is not part of the required screening process, but may form part of the medical assessment in those candidates with major risk factors. Individuals with arterial fibrillation who have two or more of the five major risk factors, including age over 65years, structural heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and previous thromboembolism, are considered above the risk threshold limit for medical certification. The pilot was over the ageof65, with no indication that any of the other five risk factors were present at the time of the occurrence. Therefore, the applicant was deemed fit for medical certification.